Has Narcissism triumphed over social solidarity?

... Has Narcissism triumphed over social solidarity? The specific definition of Narcissism is - complete self-love, as first highlighted by Freud as a stage of child development. But, for the purpose of social study Giddens gives a more applicable and relevant definition. ' Narcissism relates outside events to the needs and desires of the self, asking only 'what this means to me' (Giddens, 1991 p170) In terms of social solidarity the idea of living solely for 'the self' is in flat contradiction to the work ethics and family bonds with which social solidarity is sustained. Again with Giddens, 'Social bonds and engagements increasingly thereafter recede in favour of an endless and obsessive preoccupation with social identity' (Giddens, 1991 p170) In terms of development of 'the self' as a popularised concept, the enlightenment - and the birth of the individual - can be cited as a starting point. Around the 18c, evidence can

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